Ester 2
Ester 2 starts out with Ahasuerus being appeased by removing Vashti as queen. However, something must be amiss; because the king’s servants determine that the king is in need of a new queen. All the fair young virgins of the provinces are brought to the palace. From these, Ahasuerus was to select a new queen. This includes Ester who is under the care of Mordecai. Eventually, Ester’s turn comes to be presented before King Ahasuerus. He is well pleased with Ester and puts the crown on her. At the end of Ester 2, Mordecai unveils a conspiracy to Ester to murder Ahasuerus. She tells the king, the conspirators are hung and it is recorded in the Scroll of the Chronicles.
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| Gathering of Virgins | Mordecai and Ester | Purification for the King |
| Mordecai’s Presence | King’s Calling | The Bride is Crowned |
| Mordecai Serves the King |
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Gathering of Virgins
Gathering of Virgins
Ester 2:1
1 After these things, when the wrath (chemah) of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
After the events of Ester 1, the removal of Queen Vashti, Ahasuerus is appeased. He is satisfied for now with her removal. However, that may not last very long.
Ester 2:2
2 Then said the king’s servants (young men) that ministered to him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king.
Although Ahasuerus was appeased, he was probably disappointed that there was not a queen in the palace. This was noticeable by the servants.
Servants come from the Hebrew word נַעַר naar (H5288). It is in the Bible 238 times. נַעַר naar (H5288) is translated young man 76 times, servant 54 times, child 44 times, lad 33 times, young 15 times, children 7 times, youth 6 times, babe 1 time, boys 1 time and young 1 time. The basic meaning of נַעַר naar (H5288) is youth as compared to an older man. Generally it denotes a “young man” who is of marriageable age but is still a bachelor. One must keep in mind the contrast of youth and old age, so that statements like Jeremiah’s in Jeremiah 1:6 is understandable.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord Yehovah! behold, I cannot speak. For I a young man (naar).
While claiming to be only a “young man,” was not necessarily a youngster. Jeremiah was stating that he did not have the experience of the older men. A derived meaning of נַעַר naar (H5288) is servant. However, this could be misleading; in that, it does not connotate the age of the individual. As such, נַעַר naar (H5288) should be translated young man.
These young men were probably more sensitive to the issues of concern than older men would have been. As such, they were the ones that suggested that a fair young virgins be found. This would be accomplished as follows.
Ester 2:3
3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification (tamruq) be given.
Fair comes from the Hebrew phrase טוֹבַת מַרְאֶה. This is the Hebrew words טוֹב tov (H2896) and מַרְאֶה mareh (H4758). טוֹב tov (H2896) means basically good or favorable. מַרְאֶה mareh (H4758) means appearance, what one sees. Those that were sent out were not just looking for fair looking virgins. They were looking for favorable looking young virgins for the king. They were going to find him someone who could win a beauty pageant. Because that was part of what this was about.
The officers were sent out to identify these women and bring them back to Hege the king’s chamberlain. As will be discussed later in Ester 2, once these women were taken, they would not be returned to their families later. Either they became the queen or they would serve in another capacity in the palace.
This is a foreshadowing of what will happen in the Millennium. Virgins represent those that are born again. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:2.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present a chaste virgin to Messiah.
These will be divided into 2 basic categories, those in the Bride and the rest. The rest as considered the Great Multitude, Revelation 7:9
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a Great Multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
This is opposed to the 144,000 discussed just prior. The Great Multitude is described in Revelation 7:13-15.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying to me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? 14 And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His Temple. And he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.
As in Ester 2 there will be two classes of virgins, the Bride and others. The same will be true in the Millennium, there will be those in the Bride and those in the Great Multitude. The Great Multitude will serve in the Temple. The Bride will be the one that rules and reigns with Messiah. Ester is a picture of this.
Ester 2:4
4 And let the maiden which pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
Of course this pleased the King, He would be able to pick the one that pleased Him best. This will be similar to those who rule and reign with Messiah. At the Judgment Seat of Messiah, they will hear something similar to Matthew 25:21.
21 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter you into the joy of your lord.
Not all will hear this, not all will be part of the Bride of Messiah.
Mordecai and Ester
Mordecai and Ester
Ester 2:5-6
5 In Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
During this time, Mordechai resided in Shushan. He was a descendent of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul, 1 Samuel 9:1-2.
1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a son, whose name Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly. And not among the Children of Israel a goodlier person than he. From his shoulders and upward higher than any of the people.
Mordechai descended from Kish, who was the father of King Saul. Mordecai was taken during the Captivity of Jeconiah, Jeremiah 27:20.
20 Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
Jeconiah is another name for Jehoiachin. He reigned prior to Zedekiah, who was the last King of Judah. Jeconiah’s reign was only 3 months and 10 days. This was 11 years prior to the fall of Jerusalem.
Ester 2:7
7 And he brought up Hadassah, Ester, his uncle’s daughter. For she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
Ester’s parents had died and Mordechai raised Ester. She was as a daughter to Him. Their age difference is unknown.
Purification for the King
Purification for the King
Ester 2:8
8 So it came to pass, when the king’s word (davar) and his decree (dat) was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Ester was brought also to the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
After the king’s decree was announced, women were gathered to the palace. Unfortunately or maybe not, Ester was taken with the other maidens of the land. She was now under the custody of Hegai. Although this may seem bad for now, it serves the purposes of Yehovah in the Scroll of Ester and possibly for the eventual return of the exiles.
Hege the king’s chamberlain in Ester 2:4 appears to be the same person as Hegai, keeper of the women in Ester 2:8. This is based on the fact that the name is the same Strong’s entry, הֵגֵא Hege or הֵגַי Hegay (H1896). However, this may not be true. Either way it has no bearing on the overall content of the Scriptures. The names are only found in Ester 2. It is used 4 times. Hege is in Ester 2:3 and Hegai is used 2 times in Ester 2:8 and 1 time in Ester 2:15. There is also the possibility that Hege or Hegai is not a name, but a title. Again, this has little bearing on the overall content of the Scriptures.
Ester 2:9
9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained mercy (chesed) of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification (tamruq), with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, meet to be given her, out of the king’s house. And he preferred her and her maids to the best of the house of the women.
Purification comes from the Hebrew word תַּמְרוּק tamruq (H8562). It is in the Bible 4 times. 3 times in Ester 2 and 1 time in Proverbs 20:30.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanses (tamruq) away evil. So stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Blueness comes from the Hebrew word חַבּוּרָה chabburah (H2250). It is in the Bible 7 times. חַבּוּרָה chabburah (H2250) is translated stripe 3 times, hurt 1 time, wounds 1 time, blueness 1 time and bruise 1 time. It appears to be the result of a significant wound, not just something that refers to a simple cut or bruise. It is first used in Genesis 4:23.
23 And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; You wives of Lamech, hearken to my speech (imrah). For I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man (yeled) to my hurt (chabburah).
By killing this individual, Lamech had done major damage to himself. The last time that חַבּוּרָה chabburah (H2250) is used is in Isaiah 53:5.
5 But He wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities. The instruction (musar) of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes (chabburah) we are healed (rapha).
Stripes does not bring out the true meaning of חַבּוּרָה chabburah (H2250). What was done to Messiah was a major wound. It was so significant that in the flesh, it would never be healed physically. Only through a supernatural healing would this occur.
The meaning that is inferred by all these is that the purification of the women prior to being presented to the king was significant. תַּמְרוּק tamruq (H8562), the purification refers to a scouring, scrubbing or scraping. Prior to being taken to the palace, these women were not bathed on a regular basis. The dirt and scum of the world had to be cleansed from them. It was a significant process that would continue for 12 months as stated in Ester 2:12 below.
This process of intense purification is a comparison of the individual that would mature and possibly be in the Bride of Messiah. One must understand that the believer that will eventually be in the Bride of Messiah has undergone a significant cleansing process in this lifetime. It is not something many are willing to do. It might be compared to the pain one would go through being skinned alive, slowly taken apart and then put together to be completely healed. This would be a significant process. It is a complete make over of the person in every detail. It would be a long and painful process requiring numerous surgeries of various types. Few are willing to actually do what it takes to mature in this process. Those who do, become almost unrecognizable to those that knew them before, yet did not watch the process. This is somewhat similar to what happened to Moses in Exodus 34:29-30.
29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 And when Aaron and all the Children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
Moses had spent so much time with Yehovah that the people were in fear of coming near him. As a result, Moses would wear a veil. If we spend enough time with God, we will never be the same as before and many will avoid us. Not because we have changed, but because they are convicted as the Spirit emanates from us. In the future, unless they change, they will prefer not to be around us. One must make a choice, Yehovah our Redeemer or the world.
Ester like all the young women taken was pleasant to look at. In addition, she must have had attributes beyond her beauty. With all the beautiful women at the palace at that time, she pleased Hegai, the keeper of the women. As such, Hegai granted her mercy.
We must remember that there is a beauty that is well beyond someone’s outside appearance. It is something that comes from the soul of a person. Ester had this. Hegai was pleased with her. We also should remember that God’s hand was in this too. As such, Hegai willingly did things for Ester that he did not do for the other women. He quickly provided for Ester’s purification.
Purification should remind us that we too are to be purified. As we become well pleasing to Him, His grace will rest upon us. This will enable us to more easily move in His power. For this to happen, we must take steps to be pleasing to Him as well. We must go through the cleansing process of our soul.
Mordecai’s Presence
Mordecai’s Presence
Ester 2:10
10 Ester had not showed her people nor her kindred. For Mordecai had commanded (tsava) her that she should not show.
During this time, Ester did not tell anyone that she was a Jew. Mordecai had commanded her to keep this a secret. Even at that time, there were those that did not like the Israelites. This has been from the beginning of time. Jews to this day are disliked. Most of this comes from one place, Satan. It has to do with Deuteronomy 30:1-5.
1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call to mind among all the nations, whither Yehovah your Redeemer has driven you, 2 And shall return to Yehovah your Redeemer, and shall obey His voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul; 3 That then Yehovah your Redeemer will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, whither Yehovah your Redeemer has scattered you. 4 If you be driven out to the outmost of heaven, from thence will Yehovah your Redeemer gather you, and from thence will He fetch you. 5 And Yehovah your Redeemer will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers.
Before any Israelites went in to the land, Yehovah stated that He would do this. This was not based on a great revival, but simply on turning back to Him and His great mercy. Although many have tried to end our existence, God said we would be in the land in the end. Today although we are back in the land, many are still trying to snuff out our existence. What these all forget is, we serve a God greater than all their weapons of warfare. A God who speaks in the beginning and it comes to pass in the end. Try as they may, Israelites will be there in the end and our numbers are on a dramatic increase today.
But is not just the Physical Jew. There are others they would prefer not to have in this world, 2 Timothy 3:12
12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Messiah Yeshua shall suffer persecution.
Those of us that pursue righteousness in this life will be faced with persecution. However, God has always protected those that live righteously, 1 Peter 3:12.
12 For the eyes of the Lord over the righteous, and His ears to their prayers. But the face of the Lord against them that do evil.
Ester was wise not to say anything as we will see later.
One may wonder how about us today as believers? As believers, we should not have to advertise our faith. Our faith should shine through in everything we do. Others should be drawn to us and the Spirit should lead us when and what to speak. This is how it was in the First Century and so it should be today.
Ester 2:11
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Ester did, and what should become of her.
Mordecai similar to Yehovah kept a watchful eye on her. This too would prove to be a benefit for all Jews. Mordecai’s dedication to duty as always reaps benefits unknown at the time of the work. We must look beyond the time we are living and work for His Kingdom today. Mordecai might be equated to a watchmen on the wall Isaiah 62:6.
6 I have set watchmen upon your walls, Jerusalem, shall never hold their peace day nor night. You that make mention of Yehovah, Keep not silence,
King’s Calling
King’s Calling
Ester 2:12-13
12 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications (tamruq) accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with things for the purifying of the women;) 13 Then thus came maiden to the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women to the king’s house.
Each time before a woman went before Ahasuerus, they were required to do the following:
- A total of 12 months of purification.
- 6 months with oil of myrrh.
- 6 months with sweet odors.
Myrrh is used in the mixture of the holy anointing oil, Exodus 30:22-25.
22 Moreover Yehovah spoke to Moses, saying, 23 Take you also to you head (rosh) spices, of pure myrrh five hundred, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, two hundred and fifty, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty, 24 And of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin. 25 And you shall make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary. It shall be an holy anointing oil.
Sweet Odors should remind us of 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
15 For we are to God a sweet savor of Messiah, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. 16 To the one the savor of death to death; and to the other the savor of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
We too are to be a sweet savor to the King and those that He calls.
Additionally, the women were allowed to take anything else she thought would be in her favor.
Ester 2:14
14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
In the evening, the woman would go to the king and in the morning she would return to the second house of the king. There is no telling how many woman this affected. However, once they were part of the calling; they were permanently under the king. If he further delighted in them, he would call them by name.
As odd as this may seem, this is similar to the life of the believer. When we answer the first call, we are to enter into the Kingdom. From that point forward, we are to go through a process of purification. It is the cleansing of the carnal nature. We are to go before the king and if he is pleased with us, we serve in a higher capacity. If not, we return and wait for His call to serve Him in the future.
Similarly, all believers will go before the King at the Judgment Seat of Messiah, Romans 14:10-12.
10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you set at nought your brother? For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Messiah. 11 For it is written, I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Also, Paul writes of this in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10.
9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. 10 For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Messiah; that every one may receive the things in body, according to that he has done, whether good or bad.
This is what Peter is referring to in 1 Peter 4:17.
17 For the time that judgment (krima) must begin at the house of God. And if first at us, what shall the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?
All believers will be judged in the Millennium. It will be decided then if they are worthy to be in the Bride of Messiah. This is our calling, to prepare for this. The question is, will we be worthy? Not all are preparing, but that does not preclude us from striving to be acceptable of Him.
The Bride is Crowned
The Bride is Crowned
Ester 2:15
15 Now when the turn of Ester, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Ester obtained favor (chen) in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
Abihail is Ester father, the uncle of Mordecai.
Ester’s turn to go before the king had finally arrived. She requires nothing beyond the normal purification process. We are to be like this too. We are not to add anything beyond what is done to purify us. Anything we add, blocks His glory from shining through us. His righteousness should clothe us. This is seen on us as we purify our life in His righteousness.
All that saw Ester gave her favor. She had a beauty that resonated from within her. Something that others did not possess. We too are to have this, we are to be a mere shell for His glory to shine through us, 2 Corinthians 4:5-7.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Messiah Yeshua the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Yeshua’s sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to the light of the knowledge (gnosis) of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua Messiah. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power (dunamis) may be of God, and not of us.
Ester 2:16-17
16 So Ester was taken to King Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which the month Teveth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Ester above all the women, and she obtained grace (chen) and mercy (chesed) in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Ahasuerus loved Ester above all the virgins. She obtained grace and mercy. Ester was crowned queen in place of Vashti. In many ways, Ester was far different that Vashti. Different than Vashti, Ester would serve the King and his people. Ester was not self willed, she followed the direction of her father Mordecai. This was quite different than the former queen, who had her own celebration rather than participate in the King’s.
This happens today with another. There is a harlot that celebrates her festivals quite different from those Yehovah established.
In the 10th month of the 7th year of the king’s reign, Ester is crowned queen. This foreshadows the events of the 7th year the final Sabbatical Year before the Jubilee that Yeshua’s bride will be crowned.
Just as King Ahasuerus crowned Ester, we will see when God crowns His Bride, Isaiah 61:10.
10 I will greatly (sus) rejoice (sus) in Yehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my Redeemer; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks with ornaments and as a bride adorned with her jewels.
Ester 2:18-19
18 Then the king made a great feast to all his princes and his servants, Ester’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.
The Ahasuerus made a great feast to commemorate this event. It was a time of great rejoicing, Isaiah 62:5.
5 For as a young man (bachuwr) marries a virgin, shall your sons marry You. And the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, shall your Redeemer rejoice over you.
The king called the virgins a second time. Ester’s feast foreshadows the marriage supper of the Lamb. This occurs after the Judgment Seat of Messiah. It is when all believers will appear a second time before God, Revelation 19:5-9.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all His servants, and you that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a Great Multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia. For the Lord God omnipotent reigns. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him. For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. For the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he said to me, Write, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God.
There is coming a time in the future, when we will all return the second time before Him. We will see the Bride in all her glory. The Bride are the ones that served Him in this lifetime and will rule with Him in the future to come.
Mordecai Serves the King
Mordecai Serves the King
Ester 2:20
20 Ester had not showed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her. For Ester did the edict (maamar) of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
Ester maintained her obedience to Mordecai, her father. It was not yet time. There would come a time in the future. When the bride will be revealed to those outside the faith, Joel 2:16.
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth of His chamber, and the bride out of her canopy (chuppah).
Until this time in the future, we will have to wait patiently. We will see this later in Ester.
Ester 2:21-22
21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told to Ester the queen; and Ester certified the king in Mordecai’s name.
Mordecai remained at the gate ready to serve. This is where he heard of the plot against the king. He reported this to Ester. She in turn informed the king.
Ester 2:23
23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree. And it was written in the Scroll (sepher) of the Chronicles before the king.
The two who plotted against the king were hung. This was recorded in the Scroll of the Chronicles. However, Mordecai never received a reward and never complained of this. Mordecai was as Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:14-18.
14 Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things. Neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me. For better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of. For necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward. But if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me. 18 What is my reward then? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Messiah without charge, that I abuse not my authority (exousia) in the gospel.
As for Mordecai and Paul, their reward was to be in service to the King. They sought nothing beyond the King’s pleasure and His glory.
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